REDtone aims to stage a "tele-revolution" with the unveiling of its latest enterprise PC-PBX server

SINGAPORE - More communication players aim to deliver convenience to end-users by adopting unified messaging
as part of their value-added offerings. The aggregation of voice mail, e-mail and fax mail into a single communication
system has become a concept that appeals to many business users, especially mobile ones.

What other types of service would you be interested in?YES

Kuala Lumpur-based manufacturer of computer telephony (CT) products, VMS Technology, which recently announced the establishment of its new holdings company, REDtone
International Pte Ltd, has also joined the UMS (unified messaging service) craze.

The group has unveiled what it bills as "a single complete communications clearing house" - the REDtone
TECS (total enterprise communication server) - which allows companies to integrate all business communications
into one PC server.

However, TECS is more than a mere vehicle for unified messaging, said REDtone spokesperson, Vanna Chin.

"TECS has UMS features but further from that, it is an open platform where you can build other software
like a smart phonebook or CRM software to work seamlessly," Chin told ZDNet Asia.

Wei Chuan Beng, CEO, REDtone International, said that the initial target market for TECS is the small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) and branch offices of large corporations and multinational companies (MNCs), including start-up
companies which want to upgrade their telecommunication system.

REDtone has adopted a two-pronged pricing strategy to promote TECS. Companies can opt for outright purchase and
get a basic system comprising PBX, voicemail, auto-attendant, virtual phonebook, and least-cost routing, for S$20,000.

Companies can also purchase products and services via the company's own total communication service provider
(TCSP) programme, which is a "pay as you use" model.

This programme allows companies to install REDtone TECS without having to purchase the system. Customers may
rent the whole communication system by paying a monthly subscription fee of S$488 for a basic package. REDtone
will manage and maintain the system for the customer.

According to Chin, this program helps to lower a client's capital investment as well as resolve the problem
of equipment obsolescence. Clients can also get up-to-date software and upgrades easily.
VMS Technology is offering value-added packages with local telco operator StarHub as well as networking and communication equipment developer Natural MicroSystems (NMS). The package offers customers REDtone TECS, StarHub ISDN lines,
NMS card and communication server features from a single vendor.

According to Chin, the partnership with StarHub helps to relieve customers from coordinating with several vendors
in order to retrieve their e-mails, faxes and voice mail.

"With the tie-up, customers not only gain by paying less for such a one-stop system, but also get the telecommunication
lines with it. Our partners benefit through the sale of their products bundled with ours and this gives an upward
sales figures for all parties," said Chin.
REDtone International recently received a total funding of S$4.88 million (US$2.78 million)
from investors ChemQuest Sdn Bhd and
Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Venture Corp Sdn Bhd, bringing the total
capitalization to S$12 million (US$6.83 million).

"We will use the funds for our expansion into the Asian region, as
well as to market the various business
units of REDtone International," said Wei.

VMS Technology generated some S$5 million (US$2.85 million) in revenues in Asia Pacific for
fiscal year 2000. The group hopes
to achieve S$100 million (US$56.93 million) over the next five years.

The company is now focusing on three main countries - Malaysia, Singapore
and Hong Kong - and intends to expand
into Africa, Europe, China and US, within the next three years.

"We expanded into India and Indonesia last year, and this year, we
hope to expand to Thailand and China
as telecommunication policies there present a good opportunity for us,"
said Wei.

To date, the company has more than 50 customers who have purchased
REDtone TECS since it was commercially available
in Malaysia late last year. Among them are Arthur Andersen, OCBC Bank,
Nestle Products, Carat Media Services, MSC
Trustgate, and Bumiputra-Commerce Bank.

Founded in 1996, VMS is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, with multiple
branches within Malaysia and subsidiary
companies in Singapore, Hong Kong and China.

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